Congress has reconvened after the August recess, and House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson is laying the groundwork for a sweeping follow-up to the recent farm bill, dubbed "Farm Bill 2.0." His ambitious agenda combines targeted farm aid, structural reform, and bold trade strategies-underscoring his commitment to sustainable agriculture and net income margins for producers.

Creative use of tariff revenue for fall farm aid sits front and center. Thompson proposes channeling a fraction of the hundreds of billions collected in tariff revenue to fund emergency assistance-without tapping the longstanding Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)-and thus preserving its designed safety-net function.

USDA data forecast high government payments and elevated farm income, yet Thompson cautions that low commodity prices and rising input costs are eroding producers' margins despite increased revenue.

Thompson reflects on earlier relief efforts-$10billion in economic harm payments and natural disaster aid-noting they covered merely one-third of farmers' total estimated losses. He argues that "food security is national security," reinforcing the case for further assistance via tariff funds large enough but limited in scale.

On the policy front, Farm Bill2.0 aims to pick up where the One Big Beautiful Bill Act-which delivered 80% of the prior farm bill's investments-left off, addressing remaining authorizations and introducing fresh priorities such as rural broadband, SNAP adjustments to avoid poverty cliffs, and a bolstered ag safety net.

Key provisions under consideration include the "Save the Bacon" measure to preserve interstate commerce protections, consistent pesticide labeling standards across states (working in line with EPA rules), and tighter definitions for industrial hemp to curb misuse in emerging markets.

Agricultural workforce issues also loom large. Thompson is pushing for ag labor reform, likely overhauling the H-2A program. His committee's bipartisan Agriculture Worker Task Force identified critical gaps-and now the effort involves coordination with multiple agencies, including USDA, DHS, DOL, and State, to shape legislation informed by diverse stakeholder input.

Additionally, USDA reorganization, which includes consolidating operations into regional hubs and extending comment periods, has sparked concerns about institutional brain drain and reduced local access, a risk Thompson acknowledges even as he supports reorganization objectives.

On the trade front, Thompson remains upbeat. Encouraged by an 8-million metric pound increase in ag trade, he sees opportunities for more trade agreements-particularly focused on corn, soy, ethanol, fruits, nuts, and livestock. Successful deals in these sectors could restore momentum to farmers' bottom lines.

Thompson aims to take committee action on Farm Bill2.0 in September, ahead of the partial expiration of provisions scheduled for October 1-though functional funding continues through year-end, providing a window for negotiation and reauthorization.